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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Alexander. on Sunday 23 June 19 01:30 BST (UK)
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I have a bit of puzzle that have worked on for years and never made much more progress. It relates to a sister of one of my ancestors.
Eva Harriett Gardner was born 13 May 1884 in Halford, Warwickshire, England.
In 1907, Eva married William Oscar Attrill on the Isle of Wight. They had two daughters - Norah (1907) and Joan (1914).
While William Attrill was away at war, Eva became pregnant by another man, and gave birth to a son Jack in January 1919, at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, where Eva's mother was still living. Jack was adopted (changed surname) and later raised by his mother's sister.
Later in 1919, in London, Eva bigamously married Alfred Wells, who we think was the father of Jack. She used the name Eva Gardner when they were married to avoid suspicion.
William obtained a divorce from Eva on the grounds of adultery in 1922 (this was reported in the local papers). These record Alfred Bartlett as the co-respondent in the case. I believe that Alfred Bartlett and Alfred Wells were the same man, but have yet to definitely demonstrate this and do not know why the two names.
William Attrill and their two daughters remained on the Isle of Wight, and, it seems, never had anything to do with Eva after this point.
So why all this on the Australia board? Family rumour has it that Eva and "Alf Wells" emigrated to Australia in the early 1920s, and that they had two daughters of their own. She was apparently pregnant when they left.
However, I have not been able to find any record of the family moving to or living in Australia. I have no idea where in Australia they may have gone, or when they might have died. Can anyone find any details on their life in Australia?
Thank you,
Alexander
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Have you searched the 1939 register to ensure they were not somewhere in UK instead of Australia?
Do you know the names of the daughters of the second union?
Sue
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Hi Sue,
Not been able to find them on the 1939, so presume they were in Australia. My understanding is that Eva never came back to the UK.
The elder daughter was possibly called Jean, I think born early 1920s, not sure for the younger (and honestly can't rule out that the younger daughter could still be alive).
Thanks,
Alexander
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Possible?
Births Mar 1919
Wells Irene B Gardner Lewisham 1d 1294
Realise that can’t be right in view of birth of Jack in the same quarter
Births Mar 1927 Another female I*** L.
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There are a lot of things in the story that are puzzling.
If Alfred WELLS was the father of the ex nuptial child why was he given to Eva's aunt? Then two more children conceived later.
Are you quite certain that the marriage of GARDNER and WELLS is the right woman?
Sue
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I think that both daughters with Alfred Wells were born in Australia.
I agree that some things don't seem to quite add up.
Not sure why Jack ended up with his aunt. I could be wrong that Alfred Wells was his father, and we could be dealing with two men called Alfred. Newspaper report at the time of the divorce notes that Alfred Bartlett, the co-respondent was the father. Jack was fostered by a non-relative for a few years, because his aunt couldn't cope or afford to look after him (his aunt was a widow). Jack is with his aunt on the 1939 Register.
I don't have a copy myself of the 1919 marriage certificate between Alfred Wells and Eva Gardner, but a relative does and I'm told it does confirm that this is the same couple. I can get a copy of this but I don't think this document contains any more useful information.
I do have a photo postcard sent to me by a relative that shows Alfred, Eva, and their infant daughter (Jean?), which I'm told was sent to England from Australia in the early 1920s. They might have gone to Australia even before the divorce was finalised in 1922.
Thank you both for your help.
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South Australia
YEAR SURNAME GIVEN NAME FATHER NAME MOTHER NAME DISTRICT REG FIND OUT MORE
1920 WELLS Jean. Alfred WELLS Eva GARDNER Hindmarsh 59A/509 Find out more...
https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php?option=com_search&Itemid=32
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Eva’s death?
YEAR REG SURNAME GIVEN NAME RELATIVE NAME DISTRICT FIND OUT MORE
1954 816/5112 WELLS Eva Alfred WELLS [H] Adelaide Find out more...
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Second daughter
1922 WELLS Edith Alfred WELLS Eva GARDNER Norwood 105A/283 Find out more...
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Good find! I think this might be them. Starting to narrow things down, now knowing they were in South Australia.
Interesting that they were in Australia sooner than I thought, 1920.
Thanks very much. :D
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One would have thought the newspaper report of the divorce would have mentioned they were no longer in the country.
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Stirling General Cemetery https://billiongraves.com/grave/Eva-Wells/9153207
WELLS, Eva & Alfred
Eva Wells Died: 10 Sep 1954
Alfred Wells Died: 1 Dec 1966
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They seem to be Mt Barker , Stirling West, in at least some electoral rolls but I am having great trouble getting them to load. Anyone else have better luck.
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A death notice for Eva
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47605007
Sue
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A death notice for Eva
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47605007
Sue
Adding: Funeral notice same page
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Great finds everyone, thank you.
Everything seems to fit, but it does seem strange that the divorce article doesn't make any mention that Eva is in Australia at that point. I do want to find some information to confirm that this is the right Eva Wells. Would a South Australia death certificate include her parents' names at that time?
Alexander
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Not looking hopeful
https://archives.sa.gov.au/content/births-deaths-and-marriages
“Deaths – Name of deceased, Date of Death, Place of Death, Age, Occupation and Cause of Death. From 1907 the following details were added: Number of children, Birthplace and Residency. The certificate also includes Marriage Details (from 1915), Burial Place (from 1948) and Spouse/Relative Name (from 1968).
Birth place might help, if it says more than “England”
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Great finds everyone, thank you.
Everything seems to fit, but it does seem strange that the divorce article doesn't make any mention that Eva is in Australia at that point. I do want to find some information to confirm that this is the right Eva Wells. Would a South Australia death certificate include her parents' names at that time?
Alexander
The details on South Australian DC are not very extensive. Those with more experience than me say don't waste the money!
Are you able to link the divorce notes?
Sue
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1922. Mr Bartlett doesn’t actually have a first name in this.
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Right. Well that spells out the situation quite clearly. :P
As you say, Mckha489, the given name of BARTLETT is not mentioned, but perhaps it has been establishedas Alfred in some other way??
I would be search for previous and later mentions of him to help eliminate him as Alfred WELLS.
Sue
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Finally have the 1943 electoral roll loaded. Alfred is a mechanic. Jean is not showing as with them.
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Finally have the 1943 electoral roll loaded. Alfred is a mechanic. Jean is not showing as with them.
She married I think in 1941
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45016737
Sue
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1901
https://www.familysearch.org/search/record/results?count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3AAlfred~%20%2Bsurname%3ABartlett~%20%2Bbirth_place%3A%22Ryde%2C%20isle%20of%20wight%22~%20%2Bbirth_year%3A1873-1873~
Alfred Bartlett 28 Mariner
Annie Bartlett 33
Elsie Bartlett 4
Hilda Bartlett 1
Another child Arthur b about 1905
I think this Alfred is still alive and on the Isle of Wight just before WW2 still working as a seaman for SR (southern rail?)
Added, I can see them in 1911 but I can’t find the free link to post.
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What is Alfred Wells occupation at the marriage?
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Looking at the electoral roll for 1943 in South Australia, After her marriage to- I think- Lionel Henry SYMONDS, Jean is living at Druids Av. Stirling West.
This may be the home of her parents as their address is also Stirling West, but no street given.
Probably Lionel her husband was away on service.
Sue
ADDING
Lionel's service record is digitised and there is a photo of him in it ;D
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/search/
Search as a guest and enter his name in search box.
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Thanks everyone.
The divorce case is indexed in the National Archives catalogue:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8029490
Reference: J 77/1803/6231
Divorce Court File: 6231. Appellant: William Oscar Attrill. Respondent: Eva Harriet Attrill. Co-respondent: Alfred Bartlett. Type: Husband's petition for divorce [hd].
Date: 1921
I don't have anything more than this currently. The only time I requested a divorce file from TNA I was very disappointed with how little information I received. However in this case anything, even just an address might be helpful.
Looking more at what everyone has found I am back to thinking Alfred Wells and Alfred Bartlett may not be the same person.
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What is Alfred Wells occupation at the marriage?
Need the certificate to answer this, will order another copy if I can't find it. Will check with a distant cousin who I think has a copy.
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Death of Lionel?
Advertiser SYMONDS Lionel Henry (Blue) 2006
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1946. A daughter for Lionel and Jean
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35759649?searchTerm=Symonds%20Lionel%20%26%20Jean&searchLimits=l-title=44|||l-category=Family+Notices|||l-decade=194
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Looking more at what everyone has found I am back to thinking Alfred Wells and Alfred Bartlett may not be the same person.
It makes sense they are different people or surely they would have taken Jack to Australia too. But, I have to say the timeline for meeting and marrying Alfred Wells is pretty tight!
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Looking more at what everyone has found I am back to thinking Alfred Wells and Alfred Bartlett may not be the same person.
It makes sense they are different people or surely they would have taken Jack to Australia too. But, I have to say the timeline for meeting and marrying Alfred Wells is pretty tight!
Yes, Bartlett, living 50 yards away at the time of the "event", needs to be hunted out if it can be done :-\.
Mysteries-
Why is the boy named Jack?
Why was the rush to be married so urgent that it was enacted bigamously?
Just as easy to leave for Australia and marry later, after the divorce, surely
What was it about BARTLETT that required a "warning against"?
Sue
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Reply #22
It’s not 50 yards away, but we don’t know exactly where they all were living in 1918. However they are all in the same area in 1911, certainly walk8ng distance
And that Alfred Bartlett I have found has the right occupation. I don’t see another Bartlett who “fits” but perhaps someone else might, ;D
I wondered about the sister who gave evidence. Where was she living? And why didn’t she mention Alfred Wells if she knew her sister had already upped sticks and gone to OZ.
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What was it about BARTLETT that required a "warning against"?
He had a certain reputation perhaps
28 December 1907 - Isle of Wight Observer - Ryde, Isle of Wight,
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Thanks Mckha489 and Sue, will keep digging and let you know if I find anything that clarifies some of these mysteries. :D